Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial

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28 Acres – 4,405 Burials – 4,327 Latin Crosses – 81 Stars of David

498 Missing in Action – 97 Unknowns – 21 Sets of Brothers – 2 Medal of Honor

Dedicated July 20, 1956

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Located just outside of the town of St. James France, in the midst of gently rolling farmland, you will find the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial. Situated on 28 acres, Brittany is the final resting place for many who lost their lives during WWII battles in the region of Western France.

History

August 1944, two months after the landing of the allied forces on Normandy Beach, much of the Brittany and Normandy regions of France are still under the control of the Germans, including the small town of St. James. But, the liberators are on their way. Known as Operation Cobra, the allied troops break out of Normandy, fanning out south towards St. Lo and east toward Paris.

The town of St. James, located about 80 miles south of the Normandy Beaches was liberated on August 1, 1944. Lt. Lyone, the Platoon leader for the 1^st Platoon, Company B, 37^th Tank Battalion, 4^th Armored Division was the first of the allied forces to arrive in St. James. Although, the town acknowledges that the date of liberation was August 2^nd by the US 8^th Infantry Division.

Fighting was intense in the entire region, and many American lives are lost. Three days after the liberation of St. James, the first temporary cemetery of WWII was established about a mile outside of the village.

Due to the heavy loss of life, this area was selected to be one of the permanent military cemetery sites. The Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial consists of burials primarily from six temporary cemeteries around the area. The sight of that first temporary cemetery sits within the property.

Temporary Cemeteries and Numbers

- - Gorron, St. Hilaire du Harcouet 248
  - La Chen Guerin, Percy 431
  - Marigny, St Lo 1156
  - Saint Corneille, Le Mans 206
  - Saint James, Avranches 2079
  - Villeneuve sur Auvers, Etampes 121

Upon its completion, the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial were dedicated on July 20, 1956. It sits on 28 acres of the French countryside. Like other military cemeteries, each contains many of the same features, such as a chapel, grave area, and tablet of the missing.

Chapel

Built in a Romanesque design, the Brittany chapel is made of La Pyrie granite. Located on the east end of the chapel, is the statue “Youth Triumphing Over Evil” with 2 Timothy 4:7 at its base. Above the door is a stained-glass window featuring the emblem of SHAEF – the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force.

Along the interior walls, are eight stained-glass windows, 4 on each side. Each window features the coat of arms of towns in the area that were liberated during WWII. Carentan, Cherbourg, St. Lo, Mont St. Michel, Mortain, Paris, Chartres, and Brest. In between each window, are flags from each military service. Air Corps; Armor; Cavalry; Chemical Warfare Service; Coast Artillery Corps; Corps of Engineers; Field Artillery; Chaplains, Christian; Chaplains, Jewish; Infantry; Medical Department; Navy Artillery Battalion; Navy Infantry Battalion; Ordinance Department; Quartermaster Corps and Signal Corps.

Located at the far end is the altar. It is separated from the rest of the chapel by a low wall and iron gate. The altar is made of French Hareville Perle limestone. Above the altar is a stained-glass window with the seal of the US and an engraving on the wall of Exodus 16:7 “In the morning ye shall see the glory of the Lord”.

Tablets of the Missing

“Here are recorded the names of American’s who gave their lives in the service of their country and who sleep in unknown graves 1941-1945”

Located just outside of the chapel, is the Tables of the Missing. Memorialized on the wall is the name, rank, and organization of the 498 MIA’s. Of these, 449 are from the US Army and Army Airforce, 48 from the US Navy and 1 from the US Coast Guard. Since their date of death is unknown, the War Department Administrative Review Board will assign a date of death which is one year and one day from the day they were listed as missing in action.

Graves Area

There are over 4,400 American’s buried in Brittany. The graves are located in 16 plots that slightly curve out away from the central mall. Those buried here are from every state including Hawaii, Alaska, DC and Canada.

When possible, brothers are buried side by side. The Brittany American Cemetery contains 21 sets of brothers.

Other side by side burials include:

One set of uncle/nephew
One set of cousins
One set of friends
Six from the same aircrew (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, tail gunner and top turret gunner)
One Chaplain
Two civilians
Two Canadian

Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial is a beautiful place and is something you should see if ever given the opportunity. If you do find yourself in France, please go visit Brittany. You will be filled with appreciation to those who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. If you never make it there, at least please visit ABMC website and read more on this cemetery as well as others located all over the world.